Gateway’s Brooke Fairman (44) slices through the heart of Lenox’s defense. (Photo by Chris Putz)
LENOX – Ka-ching! Ka-ching!
That is the sound of the Lenox Millionaires cashing in on all the baskets its girls’ basketball team made in a resounding postseason win over the visiting Gateway Gators.
Three Lenox players scored in double-digits, more than 15 points apiece, as the fourth-seeded Millionaires silenced No. 5 Gateway 54-20 in the Western Massachusetts Division III girls’ basketball quarterfinals Friday night.
The Gators were held without a double-digit points-getter.
“Playing in (the Tri-County) League, we don’t typically see this type of team,” said Gateway coach Eli Robbins as he looked up at the scoreboard in a bit of disbelief.
“We knew they were a tough team,” he said, “but our girls played their butts off all the way to the end. (Lenox) is definitely a step up in competition than what we’re used to. They’re a tough team to get ready for. They pressure the ball; they’re a much disciplined team.”
The Millionaires were so disciplined, and so balanced that they spread the wealth among three scorers – Haydon Zinchuk (20 points), Liz Mitts (18), and Jaclyn Gigliotti (16).
Lenox came out fired up from the opening tip, putting together a 17-5 first quarter lead, a 32-7 halftime advantage, and, after an 8-0 fourth quarter run (fueled by six points from Mitts), a stunning 46-12 edge.
“They shot the ball well,” coach Robbins said. “We tried a couple of different things, but nothing seemed to be working tonight.”
Robbins mixed starters with non-starters, veterans with youngsters, and with 1:40 remaining in regulation – the upperclassmen – all to no avail. Still, it was a pleasant nod to the veterans’ achievements throughout the year.
“Our seniors gave everything they could tonight,” the Gators coach said. “And all across the board, our players had their heads up right to the end.”
Down 25 at the half, Gateway failed to surrender, and rather came out reinvigorated. The Gators fought back, getting to the foul line four times in the third quarter – Brooke Fairman (2-of-2 from the free throw line during that stretch), Casey McKittric (1-of-2), and Becca Williams (2-of-4). The team was already in the bonus with 2:47 left in the quarter.
But Zinchuk sprinkled in a pair of 2-point shots to offset the free throws, and Gigliotti hit a buzzer-beating lay-up to reclaim momentum for Lenox as the third quarter expired. The opening fourth quarter run sealed the outcome.
